BY EDITOR.
The League of Northern Democrats (LND) condemns in the strongest possible terms the heinous and barbaric killing of 16 innocent travelers from Northern Nigeria in Udune Efandion, Uromi, Edo State. This senseless act of mob violence, fueled by ignorance and lawlessness, is an affront to the fundamental principles of justice, human dignity and national unity.
- It is deeply troubling that in a country governed by laws, innocent citizens were profiled, falsely accused and brutally murdered in broad daylight – without investigation, without trial and without intervention from the appropriate authorities. The gruesome manner in which these Nigerians were slaughtered, their bodies burned and their dignity desecrated is beyond horrifying. And this is not the first time such atrocities are committed in Edo state against northerners. It is a stark reminder of the dangerous rise of ethnic profiling, mob injustice and the total breakdown of law and order in certain parts of our nation.
- The LND calls on the Federal Government, the Edo State Government and all security agencies to, as a matter of utmost urgency, conduct a thorough and swift investigation into this atrocity. The perpetrators – both those who carried out this barbarism and those who incited it – must be arrested, prosecuted and made to face the full weight of the law. Anything short of this will amount to a grievous failure of governance and justice.
- We demand:
i. An immediate, transparent and impartial investigation into the killings, with the full involvement of relevant security agencies and human rights organizations;
ii. The swift arrest and prosecution of all those involved in this criminal act, including those who incited, participated in or failed to prevent it;
iii. Stronger measures against mob justice across the country, ensuring that such barbarity never repeats itself; and
iv. Adequate compensation and support for the families of the victims, as well as medical care for the survivors. - Furthermore, the LND calls on all northerners to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands. Violence must not beget violence. We must not allow the actions of a lawless mob to push our nation further into division and chaos. Instead, we must trust in the institutions of justice, while holding the government accountable to its duty to protect all Nigerians, regardless of region, tribe or religion.
- This is not just a tragedy for the North – it is a tragedy for Nigeria! We must all rise as a people and demand an end to the impunity that allows innocent lives to be taken in such a cruel and inhumane manner. The time for action is now. Justice for the victims is not negotiable!
SIGNED:
Dr. Ladan Salihu
Spokesperson
League of Northern Democrats
Leave a Reply